Feeder for hay and straw burners



. L t e e h A 8 b e e h S 2 1L 8 d 0 M 0 V N M. BA'UM.

FEEDER FOR HAY AND STEAW BURNERS. N 248,391.

Patented Oct. 18,1881.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

M. BAUM.

FEEDER FOR HAY AND STRAW BURNERS.

N. PETERS. Pholmliflwgmphcn Washington. D. C.

llnrrnn STATES PATENT FFICE.

MOSES BAUM, OF GREAT BEND, KANSAS.

FEEDER FOR HAY AND STRAW BURNERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 248,391, dated October 18, 1881.

Application filed March 11, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MosEs BAUM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Great Bend, in the county of Barton and State of Kansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Feeders for Hay and Straw Burners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for feeding light and highly-inflammable fuel to stove and other furnaces, it being especially intended for use in those parts of the country where a scarcity of coal and wood renders it desirable to utilize as fuel straw, hay, cornstalks, weeds, and similar articles. It is well known that the sup plying ofsuch fuel tofurnaces byhand is troublesome and dangerous, and, besides, calls for constant attention in order to keep the fire alive, as the supply is so rapidly consumed.

The object of my invention is to dispense with the hand-feeding and furnish the class of fuel above named to furnaces by automatic mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of automatic lightfuel feeders constructed according to my invention. Fig.3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the modification shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a similar section of the form shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a perspective bottom view of the invention, showing the invention provided with removable fuel-retaining rods.

The letter A designates a sheet-metal box or drum of flaring shape, closed at its smaller and open at its larger end. From the cover or top a there project inwardly two iron rods, B B, firmly secured to said cover, and extending about half-way to the mouth of the box or drum. These rods pass loosely through apertures in a metal plate, 0, of a size to move freely flat wise from the ends of the rods to the top of the box. The rods are provided with heads I) b below the plate G, to prevent it from falling away, and above the plate each rod is surrounded by a spiral spring, D, pressing at one end against the cover of the box and at the other against said plate 0, forcing it downward against the heads b b of the rods. On opposite sides of the box are handles E E. The shape and size of the box, at least that of its mouth, should correspond with that of the furnaceopening or the top openings of the stove it is designed to feed. j

The manner of using the invention is as follows: The hay, straw, cut-up cornstalks, or othor light fuel is forced into the mouth of the box againstthe plate 0, crowding said plate inward. The box being thus filled with the fuel tightly rammed in between the walls and around the rods B B, said fuel will be temporarily held in place by the tightness of its packing. The box may be then set upon the top of a stove, its mouth coinciding with one of the stove-openings, and a few taps on the top of the box will so loosen the packed fuel that the plate 0, actuated by the springs, will gradually force it out to fall into the furnace. The tapering or flaring form of the box prevents the fuel from clogging in its outward passage and compensates for the gradual decrease in the power of the springs.

I provide the box, near its mouth, with perforations f in its walls, two perforations being opposite each other, or nearly so, in order that when very light fuel is used or the box is of extra large size the iron rods G may be arranged across the mouth of the box to hold the fuel in. When the box is placed in feeding position the said rods G may be withdrawn to allow the springs and plate to force the fuel out.

1 do not, of course, limit myself to two rods projecting inwardly from the top of the box to carry the plate 0, for it is obvious that more could be used, and in boxes of round form four would be convenient, arranged in a square.

What I claim isl. The combination, with the box A, of the headed rods B, projecting normally from the top thereof, the plate 0, carried by said rods, and a spring or springs arranged between said plate and the cover of the box to force said plate outward, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with the flaring box A, of the rods B, projecting normally from the cover thereof, the plate 0, carried by said rods,

and the springs coiled around said rods for In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 10 forcing the said plate outward. my hand in the presence of three subscribing 3. The light-fuel feeder consisting of the Witnesses. flaring box, the headed rods B, projecting nor- MOSES BAUM. 5 mally from the top thereof, the plate Q, can \Vitnesses:

ried by said rod, the springs coiled around SAM. J. DAY, said rods, and the rods removably arranged E. L. MIX, across the mouth of said box, substantially as WM. A. SWIFT. described. 3 

